Neighborhood Transformation Initiative
Many neighborhoods throughout Allegheny County have experienced significant problems: Declining and aging populations, eroding tax base, out migration, loss of neighborhood schools, abandoned or under-utilized buildings, and decaying commercial business districts. Communities have addressed these problems differently. Some have revitalized like South Side and Oakland; others appear to be recovering such as East Liberty, Lawrenceville, Friendship; but many are still struggling.
To stop decline and instead develop a positive path to change, communities must map a course of action.
Many communities along with stakeholder partners have recognized that in order to accurately determine the direction a neighborhood must take, they must first assess, inventory, and recommend action on vacant and abandoned properties in their community.
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation has worked through such a community process with three communities to date: Manchester, Fineview and the Borough of Wilkinsburg.
A report on each was issued representing the culmination of months of work by residents, stakeholders, municipal officials and organizations in the respective community.
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation continues to work in these communities. In Wilkinsburg, Landmarks has undertaken the restoration of four significant structures, three on Jeanette Street, 524 Jeanette, 522 Jeanette, and 516 Jeanette and one residential unit at 811 Holland Street.
811 Holland, 522 Jeanette Street, and 516 Jeanette Street will be restored for single-family residence, and 524 Jeanette Street is anticipated to be an owner-occupied duplex.
Restoration began in the summer of 2006 and the homes should be available for viewing in the spring of 2007 with sales anticipated in early summer 2007.
Should you wish additional information, you may contact Pittsburgh History & Landmarks at 412-471-5808 or continue to visit this website for updates as the houses are restored.
In recognition that the process of documenting abandoned and vacant buildings an inventory of historic structures is essential in the community planning process, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation matched a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to undertake the inventory data collection of three neighborhoods, areas of Wilkinsburg, East Allegheny, and Spring Garden. Data collection and inventory is often the first step in community planning and an essential requirement in either a Main Street program or the commonwealth’s Elm Street program.
In association with the Community Technical Assistance Center and the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation has posted the data collection from Wilkinsburg, including Penn Avenue and surrounding residential areas, as well as the historic Hamnett Place on our website.
Print This Page